So, Balboa was born in 1475 in Jerez de los Caballeros, Spain, which is a town that's still around today (although I'm pretty sure they don't have any conquistador theme parks, sadly). He grew up to be a charming, brave, and slightly unhinged individual who was perfect for the whole "exploring the New World" gig. And let me tell you, he had some serious skills - the guy could navigate using only the stars and a rusty compass!
But Balboa wasn't just about the whole "discovering new lands" thing; he was also a bit of a politics guy. He managed to become the governor of Panama (which, at the time, was basically a lawless jungle filled with pirates and wild animals), and he even got to meet the King of Spain (although that meeting didn't exactly end well for him - more on that later!). And did I mention he was also a bit of a show-off?
So, Balboa and his crew finally stumble upon the Pacific Ocean, and I'm pretty sure they all just stood there, mouths agape, thinking, "Whoa, this is a lot of water". I mean, can you blame them? It's not every day you discover an entire ocean. They were so excited that they even planted a Spanish flag in the sand and claimed the whole area for Spain (because, you know, that's exactly how you claim ownership of a continent - just stick a flag in it and call it a day!).
Vasco Nunez De Balboa VASCO NUÑEZ DE BALBOA Stock Photos,
But, as with all good things, Balboa's fortunes eventually came to an end. He got into some hot water with the King of Spain (apparently, the king didn't take too kindly to Balboa's whole "claiming the Pacific Ocean for Spain" thing), and he ended up getting beheaded in 1519 (ouch!). Talk about a major buzzkill. Still, you have to admire the guy's spirit - I mean, who needs a head when you've got a legacy like that?
